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Pet Maths

Maths hiding in pets: feeding times

Plan morning and evening routines using clocks.

Quick answer

Maths hiding in pets: feeding times helps you plan when to feed your pet using clocks and times. You can learn to tell time, use addition and subtraction, and understand how to make a daily routine for your pet.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to plan your pet’s morning and evening feeding times using a clock and simple maths. Success signs:
  • You can read the time on an analogue clock
  • You can add or subtract time to plan feeding times
  • You can make a simple feeding schedule for your pet
  • You can explain why your pet needs to eat at certain times

Why this matters

Pets need regular meals just like you do. Learning how to plan pet feeding times helps you understand time, practice addition and subtraction, and build responsibility. Whether you're looking after a dog, cat, bird, or fish, you can use maths to keep your pet healthy and happy. In games like Animal Crossing or Minecraft, you might also need to plan when to feed your virtual pets or animals. In real life, you can use the same skills to help your family plan meals and routines.

How it works

Planning pet feeding times uses basic maths. You start with a time, like 8 o’clock in the morning, and then add or subtract time to find the next feeding time. For example, if you feed your pet every 6 hours, you add 6 hours each time. Here are the simple steps:
  1. Choose a start time for the first feeding
  2. Decide how often your pet eats (every 4, 6, or 8 hours)
  3. Use a clock to count forward or backward
  4. Write down the times on a chart or calendar

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine you have a dog named Max who eats twice a day. You decide to feed Max at 8:00 in the morning and 6:00 in the evening. Step 1: Choose a start time – 8:00 a.m. Step 2: Decide how often to feed – every 12 hours Step 3: Add 12 hours to find the next time – 8:00 + 12 hours = 8:00 p.m. Step 4: Write it down – Max eats at 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Now let’s try a different example. If you feed your pet every 4 hours, and the first feeding is at 10:00 a.m., then: 10:00 + 4 hours = 2:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. + 4 hours = 6:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. + 4 hours = 10:00 p.m. So your feeding times would be: 10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., and 10:00 p.m. You can also use a clock to help you count. For example, if it’s 3:00 and you want to know what time it will be in 5 hours, you can move the hour hand forward 5 times. That gives you 8:00.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: Pet Time Planner You are a pet keeper and need to plan the feeding times for your pet, Luna the cat. Luna eats twice a day, and you want to make sure she eats at 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. You want to know what times you will feed Luna in between. Task: Find out the feeding times for Luna if she eats every 6 hours. Step 1: Start with 7:00 a.m. Step 2: Add 6 hours to find the next feeding time. Step 3: Keep adding 6 hours until you get back to 7:00 p.m. Step 4: Write down all the times. Try it yourself: 1st time: 7:00 a.m. 2nd time: ? 3rd time: ? 4th time: 7:00 p.m. What are the missing times? Answer: 2nd time: 1:00 p.m. 3rd time: 7:00 p.m. So Luna eats at 7:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking 12 o’clock is 0 hours or that 12:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. are the same time. Why it happens: Confusing a.m. and p.m. Fix: Remember that 12:00 a.m. is midnight and 12:00 p.m. is noon.
  • Mistake: Adding time incorrectly, like thinking 11:00 + 3 hours = 14:00. Why it happens: Not counting the hours correctly on a clock. Fix: Use a clock or count the hours on your fingers to make sure you get the right time.
  • Mistake: Forgetting to use a.m. or p.m. when writing times. Why it happens: Not paying attention to the time of day. Fix: Always write a.m. or p.m. after the time to make it clear.

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child by:
  • Using a real clock to show how to count hours
  • Practising with a simple feeding schedule for a pet
  • Letting your child draw or write their own pet feeding chart
  • Asking questions like: “If we feed the pet at 9:00 a.m., when will the next feeding be?”
  • Using a timer or phone to set reminders for feeding times
What to say:
  • “Let’s plan when to feed your pet today.”
  • “Can you count 4 hours forward from 10:00?”
  • “What time will it be in 6 hours?”
What not to worry about:
  • Your child might make a mistake in time. That’s normal!
  • They may not get the exact time at first. That’s okay.
  • They will get better with practice and more confidence.

Practice questions

  1. If you feed your pet at 6:00 a.m. and then every 8 hours, what are the next two feeding times?
  2. How many hours are between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.?
  3. If your pet eats at 11:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., how often do they eat?
  4. You start feeding your pet at 8:00 a.m. and feed them every 4 hours. What are all the feeding times for one day?
  5. What time is it 10 hours after 3:00 p.m.?
Answers:
  1. 2:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.
  2. 8 hours
  3. 12 hours
  4. 8:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m.
  5. 1:00 a.m.

FAQ

What time should I feed my pet?

It depends on your pet. Most dogs and cats eat twice a day, usually in the morning and evening. Ask your vet for advice.

How do I know how often to feed my pet?

Your vet or the pet food packet will tell you. Some pets need to eat once a day, others every 4 or 6 hours.

Can I use a digital clock to plan feeding times?

Yes! Digital clocks show the time clearly. You can also use a timer or app to remind you.

Why is it important to feed pets at the same time?

Feeding pets at the same time helps them feel safe and healthy. It also helps you keep a routine.

What if I forget to feed my pet?

Use a reminder on your phone or write a chart. You can also ask a family member to help you.